Exclusive: Ex-FIFA ref slams call after Bukayo Saka enraged in Arsenal loss to PSG
Keith Hackett has criticised the officiating decision that left Bukayo Saka and Arsenal furious during their Champions League defeat to PSG.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider the winger should not have been penalised for a first-half challenge on Nuno Mendes, a decision that stopped him going through on goal.
Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by PSG at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday (29 April) in the first leg of their Champions League semi final clash.
Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal of the game for the visitors with less than four minutes on the clock.
PSG were unlucky not to get a penalty after Jurrien Timber brought down Kvicha Khvaratskhelia inside the Gunners penalty area.
However, Mikel Arteta‘s side would also be left unhappy with the decisions of the officiating team on a number of occasions.
Bukayo Saka attack stopped by controversial foul on Nuno Mendes
Arsenal also felt they should have had a penalty for a foul on Mikel Merino inside the PSG area which was not given by referee Slavko Vincic.
Shortly before half time, Saka then looked as though he would get the chance to equalise for his side, after robbing Nuno Mendes of possession on the right touchline.
The England international was then brought to a halt though, after the assistant referee flagged for a free kick against the England international over a push on the PSG full-back.
| Bukayo Saka vs PSG | Total (from SofaScore) |
| Shots on Target | 1 |
| Shots off Target | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 22/29 |
| Duels Won | 6/15 |
| Dribbles Completed | 4/7 |
With contact being confirmed by replays to have been minimal, Arsenal fans were left furious with the decision, while Saka was booked for kicking the ball away in frustration at that call.
Hackett has now revealed that he has sympathy with the Gunners over the decision to prevent Saka from making the most of the opportunity he looked to have gained by robbing Mendes of possession.
‘Arsenal fans rightly unhappy over assistant referee intervention’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of the decision to penalise the Arsenal attacker, the former referee said:
“Am I surprised that Arsenal fans are unhappy – no. I see what they see – two players challenging for the ball and Saka wins it.
“Yes it was scrappy but Saka in holding out his hands did not push is opponent. The intervention by the assistant referee was frankly unnecessary and incorrect.
“The referee at this point could have waived ‘advantage’ but took the safety route and went with his assistant. Poor decision on review.”
Arsenal will now be aiming to overturn that 1-0 deficit when they travel to the French capital for the second leg of the tie next Wednesday (7 May).